Objective To investigate the effects of intravenous injection of alpha;-crystallin on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and some important organs of the Long Evans rats. Methods RGC were retrogradelabeled by fluorogold through bilateral superior colliculus and lateral geniculate body for seven days before optic nerve crush injury. Twenty-three Long Evans rats were used for this study, including three rats of normal control group and 20 rats of experimental group. Twenty rats were randomly divided into saline control group and three alpha;-crystallin injection groups, which received tail vein injection of 1.25 ml isotonic saline and three different concentrations (1times;10-2, 1times;10-1 and 1 g/L) of alpha;-crystallin respectively, once every two days and totally seven times. After two weeks, the labeled RGC were counted, and the pathological changes on liver, kidney, brain, spleen and the lungs were investigated. Results Compared with the normal control group, although the number of RGC markedly decreased after two weeks of optic nerve crush injury in every group, the number of RGC in alpha;-crystallin-treated groups was more than those in the saline control group. There were 2074plusmn;150 RGC per mm2 in normal control group, 85plusmn;15 RGC per mm2 in saline control group, 124plusmn;26 RGC per mm2 in 1times;10-2 g/L alpha;-crystallin group, 128plusmn;31 RGC per mm2 in 1times;10-1 g/L alpha;-crystallin group, 164plusmn;20 RGC per mm2 in 1 g/L alpha;-crystallin group (F=18.660, P＜0.01). No congestion, swelling, inflammation and other pathological changes were found in liver, kidney, brain, spleen and lung. Conclusions Intravenous injection of alpha;-crystallin protein has protective effects on RGC after the optic nerve crush injury, and no significant effects on important organs.
Objective To observe the image characteristics of autofluorescence (AF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods A total of 85 eyes of 72 patients with CSC were examined by Headberg HRA2 laser scanning fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), redfree light photography, and Kowa fundus colorizedphotography. The grey AF images were obtained with 488 nmwave-length laser and comparatively analyzed with results of fundus colorized photography, redfree light photography and FFA. Results In 85 eyes, single faint AF of the CSC focus was in 14 (16.5%); faint AF pool containing b lamellar focus was in 39 (45.9%); faint AF pool combining with mottling focus was in 25 (29.4%); local dense or scattered mottling AF at the posterior pole was in 7 (8.2%). FFA fluorescein leakage point or abnormal fluorescence were in accordance with abnormal AF in 60 eyes (70.6%); the changes of ocular fundus, results of FFA, and changes of AF were not accordance in 25 eyes (29.4%). AF of CSC focus during different disease course was different, which showed single platelike faint AF pool and b mottling AF complex focus in and out of the faint AF in the period of onset of the disease, while b mottling combining with faint mottling AF and various multiinfection fields in the period of chronicity. Conclusions The AF of CSC mainly demonstrates single faint AF, b mottling combining with faint mottling AF and multiinfection AF in macular fields. AF examination associates with fundus colorized photography and FFA can be mutually complemented in observing the images of CSC.
Purpose To investigate the effects of human vitreous fluid on proliferation of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and vascular endothelial cell lines(VEC304). Methods Human RPE cells and VEC304 were cultured and treated in different human vitreous-conditioned medium (VCM) with or without serum, vitreous volume concentrations of VCM were 1∶8, 1∶4 and 1∶2. Cells proliferation was assayed by tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry at the 2nd, 4th and 6th day respectively. Results In the presence of serum, 1∶4, 1∶2 VCM had a significantly stimulative effect on RPE cells proliferation compared with control group at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th day retrospectively (P＜0.01), but exerted a bly inhibitory effect on VEC304 proliferation compared with control group at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th day retrospectively (Plt;0.05). In the absence of serum, only 1∶2 VCM had a stimulative effect on RPE cells growth compared with control group at the 2nd day (P＜0.05) and obviously at the 4th and 6th day respectively (P＜0.01). Conclusion Human vitreous fluid influences human RPE cells and VEC304 growth in vitro. This result suggests that vitreous may play different role in proliferative vitreoretinopathy and intraocular neovascular disease. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 140-142)
Objective To describe cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells transdifferentiation and investigate the effects of human vitreous fluid on the morphologic and cytoskeleton changes of RPE cells in vitro. Methods Cytoskeleton characteristics in the 2nd, 5th, 8th passage of RPE cells in normal culture, which included cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by Western blot. RPE cells were cultured in human vitreous-conditioned medium (VCM) at the concentration of 1∶4 for 6 days, morphologic changes were examined by light and electron microscopy, and cytoskeleton characteristics were analyzed by imunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results During culture in vitro, RPE cells lost epithelial characteristics and aquired fibroblast-like phenotype. The expression of CK18 was the highest at the 5th passage, and it decreased in the following passage, but α-SMA increased gradually. The morphologic transdifferentiation from epithelial to fibroblast-like cells of RPE was accelerated by VCM. Ultrastructural changes such as decreased microvilli and gradually increased rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex were found during the cultivation. CK18 produced by RPE cells decreased in VMC (P＜0.05), and α-SMA increased (P＜0.01). Conclusion Morphologic changes in epithelialmesenchymal transdifferenetiation of RPE cells are stimulated by VCM and accomplied by the shift of cytoskeleton proteins, The results imply that cells migration may be decreased and contraction may be enhanced in VCM. It may suggest that vitreous accelerates the pathogenesis of PVR and RPE cells play an important role. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 289-292)
ObjectiveTo probe into the clinical value of supine cervical vertebra traction with neck flexion in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. MethodsFrom August 2011 to December 2013, 71 patients were divided randomly into a treatment group of 36 cases and a control group of 35 cases. They were treated respectively with supine cervical vertebra traction with neck flexion, and cervical vertebra traction on a sitting position. Both groups had acupuncture, moxibustion, massage and medium frequency electrotherapy. The period of observation was 15 days. We evaluated the results by surveying physiological curvature of the cervical spine on lateral radiograph, and visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), criteria of diagnosis and therapeutic effect of syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS) were also used. ResultsPhysiological curvature of cervical spine was much improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05). The distance of cervical vertebra arc between vertebral anterior edge sequences in treatment group before treating was (4.07±3.63) mm and it was (9.03±4.31) mm after treatment. For the control group, those two numbers were respectively (4.13±3.02) and (8.87±3.97) mm. There was no significant difference in the distance of cervical vertebra arc and its increase between vertebral anterior edge between the two groups after treatment. There was significant difference in the efficiency rate between the two groups (P<0.05) (treatment group 100.00%, control group 97.14%). When cured rate and cured-markedly effective rate were added, the treatment group (80.56%) was much better than the control group (51.43%) (P<0.01). As to VAS score, NDI and CASCS scores, both groups got much better after treatment (P<0.01). For VAS, the treatment group decreased from 8.43±0.75 before treatment to 1.40±0.61 after treatment, while the control group from 8.35±0.78 before treatment to 2.55±0.59 after treatment. For NDI, the treatment group decreased from 54.13±7.44 before treatment to 10.78±4.55 after treatment, while the control group from 55.85±8.72 to 12.66±5.48. For CASCS, the treatment group rose from 34.88±5.39 before treatment to 74.65±6.73 after treatment, while the control group from 34.77±4.89 to 69.03±6.21. After treatment, VAS score of the treatment group was much lower than the control group (P<0.01). There was no difference between the two groups on NDI (P>0.05). CASCS score of the treatment group was significantly higher than the control group after the treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the increase of CASCS score between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). ConclusionVertebra traction combined with acupuncture, moxibustion, massage and medium frequency electrotherapy is therapeutic for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and traction at a supine and flexing position is better.
ObjectiveTo investigate the morphology of endplate shape in teens with lumbar degenerative disc disease by means of MRI and the correlation between endplate shape and lumbar disc degeneration. MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 31 teenage patients with lumbar disc herniation who underwent MRI examination between January 2011 and April 2015. The morphology of endplate was classified into three groups:concave, flat and irregular based on the midsagittal T1-weighed MRI. The degree of disc degeneration was graded on T1-weighed MRI according to Pfirrmann's method with one to five points representing grade Ⅰ to Ⅴ. All endplates were determined by Modic grading system. The associations between morphology of endplate in lower lumbar spine and disc degenerative degree as well as Modic changes were evaluated retrospectively. ResultsAmong the 93 endplates, concave represented the maximum proportion (52/93). Irregular endplate increased from L3/4(4/21) to L5/S1(10/21) gradually. The average degenerative degree for concave, flat and irregular endplate was respectively (1.19±0.11) points, (2.25±0.43) points and (3.33±0.51) point, which showed significant differences (P<0.05). Irregular was the majority in protruding sections, and concave was the majority of non-protruding sections. There were 27 modic changes in 93 endplates, in which irregular was the most, showing significant difference (P<0.05), while the difference between concave and flat endplate was not significant (P>0.05). ConclusionWe can use endplate morphology, modic changes and disc degeneration to reflect degree of disc degeneration in teenage patients. Since the L5/S1 segments bear the greatest power in the lower lumbar spine, they are most prone to disc degeneration with more irregular endplates.